Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

5 Signs You Might Be Wealthier Than You Think

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Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets. In this episode, Sean analyzes the habits that signal real, lasting wealth and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Living below your means = financial confidence
🎯 Strategic investing turns small steps into big wins
🌟 Multiple income streams build confidence
🕰️ Patience and discipline grow lasting wealth.
 
7 Signs You’re Secretly Getting Rich (and Don’t Even Know It)
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/signs-youre-secretly-getting-rich-and-dont-even-know-it
 
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
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Contact us:
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slee@erg-slc.com

Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked

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Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what this new bill didn’t actually do. In this episode, Sean breaks down the One Big Beautiful Bill and clears up some of the biggest myths still circulating. Confused by headlines or worried you missed out? This episode breaks down what’s real, what’s rumor, and how to plan smarter moving forward.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧾 Are Social Security taxes going away?
💵 Tax cuts aren’t for everyone
❤️ What’s changed with charitable giving
🚗 The truth about car loan deductions
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Gen X, It’s Time To Think About Retirement

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Generation X, welcome to your retirement wake-up call. In this nostalgic but practical episode, we’re going to take Gen Xers down memory lane and straight into the financial realities of retirement planning. From latchkey kids to financial independence, Gen X has always been resilient. But with more debt, less time, and fewer pensions than previous generations, it’s time to get serious about the future.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🎸 Gen Xers are nostalgic, independent, and entering retirement planning mode.
💸 Many carry high debt and feel financially unprepared—but it’s not too late.
🧠 Gen X bridges analog grit with digital savviness—a strength in planning.
🏠 Downsizing, side hustles, and late-stage saving can help close retirement gaps.
📈 It’s time to turn independence into a retirement game plan with real strategy.
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

5 People You Meet Before Retirement

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In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, each person the main character meets helps him understand his life in a new way. Today, let’s talk about the five people you should meet before retirement—people who can guide your next chapter and help you retire with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
In this episode, Sean breaks down a unique “retirement dream team” approach that blends practical wisdom with real-world stories.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧩 Why a financial advisor is your retirement “puzzle master”
📜 The estate planning move that prevents family fallout
🛡️ How insurance specialists protect your retirement lifestyle
🏋️‍♂️ Why fitness isn’t just about health, it’s about freedom
⚠️ The biggest mistakes people make when setting up a trust
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com
Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvc4i_5kYjIQXyr0fNTeXQ 

Should You Lend Money to Friends or Family?

We all want to support the people we care about, but when money enters the equation, even the best intentions can lead to tension. In this episode, Sean unpacks the emotional and financial complexities of lending to family and friends. He offers real-world guidance to help you handle these situations with clarity and care, without putting your own finances at risk.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💵 The importance of setting clear terms and expectations
🧾 How contracts can protect both finances and relationships
🚫 Don’t lend what you can’t afford to lose
🧠 Consider creative, non-cash ways to help loved ones
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

5 Ways Wishful Thinking Can Damage Your Retirement

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Sean’s walking through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💸 Why relying only on investment interest could cut your income short
🧾 The truth about taxes in retirement
🚗 Why “every day is Saturday” might wreck your spending plan
📉 How past investment success can create a false sense of security
👪 The emotional and financial risks of assuming kids will “help out”
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Am I Saving Too Much?

Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, Sean answers a viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present. Can you save too much? Are you over-saving at the expense of living now? Sean addresses the listener’s concern that he’s maxing out multiple accounts but still feels like he’s living paycheck to paycheck. It raises an important point: Is it possible to be too focused on the future and miss out on the present?
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧭 Why “starting with the end in mind” matters most
📉 The real risk of under-saving and over-saving
🧠 How your past shapes your money biases today
✈️ What pilots need to know about timing, taxes, and lifestyle
 
Rowe Price Benchmark Calculator: https://www.troweprice.com/personal-investing/resources/insights/youre-age-35-50-or-60-how-much-should-you-have-by-now.html
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Inside the Advisor’s Office: What People Are Actually Concerned About

Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning to healthcare costs to working longer than expected, we’re breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what we see in our own client conversations.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Outliving assets: why it tops the list
🏥 The overlooked risk of healthcare costs
💬 Why income planning matters more than portfolio size
🔍 The real reason so many people want to keep working
 
Check out the article here: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/retirement-planning-survey-2024-80450.html 
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Key 2025 Tax Breaks & Adjustment Opportunities

Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025—before the year gets away from you. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can start planning now to make the most of them.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💼 New 401(k) contribution limits—especially for ages 60–63
🧾 Qualified Charitable Distributions = smart giving + tax benefits
🏥 HSAs: the “triple tax-advantaged” retirement healthcare tool
💡 Strategic Roth use (contributions & conversions) builds tax flexibility
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Do Smart Investors Really Need a Financial Advisor?

Do you really need a financial advisor, or can you handle your investments on your own? We received a question from someone who has been a successful investor and is wondering whether they would get value out of a financial advisor. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of DIY investing and explain how working with an advisor can actually save you money, time, and stress.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💰 DIY Investing Risks
📉 Market Downturns & Retirement
🧾 Tax & Withdrawal Strategies – The piece most DIY investors overlook
👥 Succession Planning – Will your spouse or family know what to do?
 
0:00 – Intro
0:54 – First reaction
2:35 – Different challenges in retirement
6:45 – Stress of doing it alone
9:31 – More than investing
11:30 – Succession planning
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvc4i_5kYjIQXyr0fNTeXQ?sub_confirmation=1